Descanse en paz, Tecum Uman. A leader of the K’iche’ Maya peoples, Tecum came up against conquistador Pedro de Alvarado in February 1524 in a much-mythologized encounter that commonly includes Tecum killing Alvarado’s horse and in turn being speared through by Alvarado. Tecum’s spirit animal, the quetzal, usually features in some way, but really, factually there isn’t very much evidence that Tecum existed. Not that it matters. He has been declared Guatemala’s national hero and is celebrated on this date as the generally-recognized date of his death. [One of his spiritual K’iche’ granddaughters, Rigoberta Menchú, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1992 in recognition of her activist work for indigenous people’s rights.]
Stamp details: Stamp on top: Issued on: August 3, 1933 From: Guatemala City, Guatemala MC #269
Stamp on bottom: Issued on: October 12, 1987 From: Havana, Cuba MC #3130















